Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive drug and can be taken into the body by snorting, injecting, and smoking (crack cocaine).

In the first and second parts of our series, we have discussed the many signs of substance abuse and addiction. Now we tackle the drug-specific signs of substance abuse.

Aside from physical, psychological, and behavioral effects of drugs, there are also other signs that you should look out for in your loved ones in order to find out exactly what kind of drug they are on.

This is the second part of a series of articles about recognizing substance abuse in your spouse, partner, or significant other.

Aside from personal and behavioral signs of substance abuse, there are also psychological signs. This is because substances, such as illegal drugs and alcohol, also affects the brain in many significant, and often irreversible, ways.

This is the first part of a series of articles about recognizing substance abuse in your spouse, partner, or significant other.

Substance abuse is a silent epidemic in our country, affecting hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people and their families. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, many of people abuse more than one kind of drug, which includes alcohol, marijuana, and meth (shabu).

Moving out of a rehab facility doesn’t mean that your treatment is absolutely over as you still need to have aftercare. Seeking treatment is really not the end of your addiction, and this is why aftercare is required especially in the first years of recovery.

So you’ve just completed your treatment in a rehab facility. You may be hoping or tempted to be able to say that your problems with addiction are finally over. However, the story is not over yet. There’s still work to do–this is where aftercare comes in.

Too much of anything is indeed bad for you. In the age of LOL, OMG, and #TBT, are we spending far too much time on the internet? Internet addiction, like any addiction, can cause many problems. Here’s how you know if you yourself have an internet addiction.

While the Internet is a very useful tool for gaining knowledge and establishing connections, too much can be harmful. Internet addiction can cause a number of problems, from poor performance at work, strained relationships, and family problems. For one, every minute you spend on the internet is time away from work, yourself, friends, and family. There’s also the issue of sitting for hours (or all day) and not having an active lifestyle.

Spending excessive time on social media is unhealthy and can do a lot of harm. Here’s how you know if you’ve been on the Internet too much.

Whether you have decided to quit by yourself or have undergone treatment and is now in recovery, there will be times when you come across a trigger and the craving kick in. How do you handle this and maintain your sobriety?

In a previous post, we have enumerated 5 of the things you can tell or remind yourself when you start to crave for drugs or alcohol. In continuation to that, we are listing 5 more things to remind yourself why you have chosen to be sober in the first place. Read on these valuable go-to pieces and keep encouraging yourself to stay committed to a life in recovery.

So you have gone through months of addiction treatment and rehabilitation. Now, with fresh new eyes and a sober mind, you’re off to start your life anew. But then, as many weeks pass and reality hits, you find yourself craving for a drink or a hit of that drug you swore you’ll never touch again. What should you do?

Addicts, whether those who were drug or alcohol dependent, wouldn’t be called addicts if the urge isn’t strong. At some point along the way, they would badly want–or even need–to drink or use. The same can still be said when you are in early recovery. Even those who may seem to have established their sobriety would find the temptation knocking at their doors even after a few years.

With addiction, the home becomes a battleground, where every day, family members struggle for control, order, peace, a sense of sanity, and a way out of the downward spiral, a way to save their addicted child. For parents of a drug addict, the pain, worry, love, and despair is incomparable. You want to take away their pain, yet you don’t want to take their only source of joy away, either.

Let’s face it. It’s easy to judge other people who have succumbed to drugs or alcohol–until it hits close to home.

Bridges of Hope uses Therapeutic Community to treat drug, alcohol, and behavioral addictions

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As a drug addict, I thought I had nothing to hope for. I was physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually messed up...It wasn't easy to change and give up the lifestyle that I was used to. Until I met and got to the place that helped me change my perception and that is Bridges of Hope. The facility helped me know and realize what I am, who I am as a daughter, a friend and a mother.

Testimonials

I am thankful for Bridges of Hope for helping me bring my husband back after many years of being addicted to meth. BH taught him how to be free from drugs, alcohol, and gambling, and find happiness in a positive and sober life.

Grace

Cavite

As a drug addict, I thought I had nothing to hope for. I was physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually messed up...It wasn't easy to change and give up the lifestyle that I was used to. Until I met and got to the place that helped me change my perception and that is Bridges of Hope. The facility helped me know and realize what I am, who I am as a daughter, a friend and a mother.

Ron

Laguna

I thought I lost everything, including myself. With the help of BH and my new-found friends in recovery, I have learned that there IS life after addiction, and now I'm fulfilling my dreams and rebuilding my life with my family. Thank you, Bridges of Hope!